Burn Cottage Sauvage Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

The 2021 Sauvage Vineyard Pinot Noir is supremely pretty. It's elegant and fine and still powerful, thanks to the Bannockburn area; however, the wine itself shows rose petals and spring flowers, graphite and pencil lead, white pepper and tapenade. Svelte and sleek, this is composed and detailed and so, so good. I am (mostly) resisting hyperbole and adverbs here. This is a standout wine from a superstar producer-an asset for the region and indeed the country (and the New World in general). 13.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

Well-structured, with a firm backbone to complement the dense core of flavors, including blackberry, wild blueberry and red fruit notes. Accents of Earl Grey tea and white pepper, plus hints of dried rose petal, forest floor and salted black licorice, linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2033. 750 cases made, 200 cases imported.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Sauvage Vineyard is succulent, tender and feels unforced. Sitting comfortably on the palate, it already has a sense of approachability. It displays black cherries and fruit cake alongside integrated oak-derived cedar notes. Fine tension and a line on the finish provide an attractive sinewy element, drawing the wine out on the medium-long finish. The 2021 is done in a well-considered, unadulterated style.